The Security Service of Ukraine has uncovered a scheme to launder almost 8,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain that the ruscists had illegally exported from the temporarily occupied city of Mariupol to sell on to third countries.

As a result of operations in Odesa, two accomplices of the aggressor state have been detained for helping russia conceal the origin of the stolen agricultural produce, which was worth over 60 million Hryvnia (USD 1.3 mln).

The investigation revealed that those involved were the director of the Odesa branch of a foreign company that specialises in certifying agricultural products and his subordinate, the head of the laboratory.

In 2024, the russians loaded 7,857 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat onto the sanctioned vessel Alfa M in the port of Mariupol.

The stolen cargo was then transported to the port of Temryuk in the Krasnodar krai, russia, where fictitious documents were drawn up claiming that the grain was of russian origin.

The agricultural produce was then delivered to a Middle Eastern country for onward sale via a local export company.

To conceal the true origin of the goods and ensure they could be sold, russian representatives contacted the management of the specialised enterprise in Odesa and commissioned the forged documents.

The branch director and his subordinate, knowing the stolen wheat was of Ukrainian origin, organised an inspection, which was actually only ‘on paper’, and issued a fraudulent conclusion claiming the grain was of russian origin.

The SSU documented the offences committed by both company officials and detained them.

During the searches of their homes and the company’s office, computer equipment, mobile phones, documentation, and forged laboratory reports were discovered, providing evidence of offences committed in russia’s interests.

SSU investigators have notified the detainees of their status as suspects under Articles 28.2 and 111-2.1 of the CCU (aiding the aggressor state, committed by a group, by prior conspiracy).

The suspects are in custody, facing up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.